July 21st, 2018 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka While nearly all of the attention in Friday night’s 6-4 Dodgers win over the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park was on Dodgers superstar newcomer Manny Machado, and rightfully so, there was one almost insignificant at-bat that went completely under the radar for all but the most savvy of Dodger fan.
It occurred in the top half of the fourth inning, an otherwise uneventful inning that was surrounded by a Kiké Hernandez ground out and line outs by Logan Forsythe and Austin Barnes.
With one out and on an 0-2 count, left-handed-hitting Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger reached across the plate and slapped Brewers right-hander Wade Miley‘s 88-mph cut fastball (that was way off the plate) between Brewers third baseman Travis Shaw and shortstop Tyler Saladino, who were shifted against the normally pull-hitting 2017 National League Rookie of the Year, for an excuse-me base hit.
…and it was beautiful.
If you are going to shift against Cody Bellinger…
…be prepared to pay the price.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
So what’s the big deal over an insignificant opposite field slap single by the guy who slugged 39 home runs last season – most of which were absolutely crushed – in what has become known as ‘elevate and celebrate’ for the just-turned 23-year-old Scottsdale, Arizona native and Dodgers 2013 fourth-round draft pick out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona, you ask?
The big deal is that to the absolute thrill of Dodgers hitting coach Turner Ward, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, and those aforementioned savvy Dodger fans, the 6′-4″ / 210-pound young Dodger first baseman has been going the other way quite a bit lately, and the result are staggering.
Although Belly’s batting average is still under .250, it has been on a gradual climb from .231 on June 1st and currently sits at .244. And even though nary an at-bat goes by without at least one of Bellinger’s trademark ‘swings from the hips’ (as they say), it’s those unselfish slap swings to the opposite field to defeat the ever-present shifts against him that is clear proof that our young Cody Bellinger is growing into a complete well-rounded major league hitter.
Now this most certainly isn’t to say that Bellinger has completely done away with his incredible pull shots that currently has him second on the team’s home run leader board with 17, behind only Max Muncy‘s 22 and not counting Machado’s 24, which were all hit while a member of the Baltimore Orioles. In fact, since June 1, Bellinger has hit nine round-trippers; none bigger than his towering grand slam on June 22 off of Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler that landed in the upper deck of Citi Field.
Bellinger’s towering 401-foot grand slam home run against the Mets on June 22, 2018 was as high as it was long … perhaps even higher. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
For those who dig the long ball, Bellinger’s new approach at the plate may be somewhat of a disappointment, as his final home run tally this season may fall short of the 39 home runs he hit last season. That being said, the guy who the young Dodgers first baseman is often likened to and who is the undisputed best opposite field hitter to ever play the game, finished his brilliant 19-year MLB career with only 521 home runs but still owns the best on-base percentage in MLB history at .482; the great Hall of Famer Ted Williams.
That’s some pretty good company, if you ask me.
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I feel hitting to the opposite field, especially when the shift is on is one of the most exciting scenes in a game. When it’s done by a Dodger, of course.
Yes, being compared to arguably the best hitter in baseball history is definitely “pretty good company”.
Bellinger may physically look like the Splendid Splinter, but he has a long ways to go before he is close to the hitter Williams was. Ted only struck out about 10% of the time and the only reason he “only” had 521 home runs is because he lost five years of his prime to serve his country. Ted Williams is an American Hero.
Ted lost 3 seasons to WWII, 1943-1945. He played in 150 games each in ’42 and ’46.
He played in only 43 games in ’52/’53 because of Korea, with a combined 14 HR’s.
Every time I see Cody Bellinger go the other way and get a hit I get ecstatic. I wonder if he keeps doing that if the defense will adjust and start playing him more straight away. There’s been a lot of talk about MLB outlawing the extreme shift but I think the players can take care of it themselves if they just go the other way. I know it is easier said then done but I think it can be done.
Agree 100%, Will. I also like seeing Joc either actually try to bunt or fake a bunt to rattle the other team that has shifted against him.
I recently heard that a few teams actually tried shifting against Ted Williams, but gave up doing so when he would just hit around it.
I also agree. If the batters can’t solve the problem themselves they deserve it.
Re: Ted Williams. I read a biography of him back in the sixties that included the attempt to shift on him. Being a millennium ago I may not have all the details right, but as I remember it the shift incited him to learn to hit to all fields. Being Ted Williams it wasn’t a problem.
Can seager make his way back to the roster i know hes out for the season but dies that also mean playoffs
He is out at least until spring training and perhaps even until Opening Day … or longer. That being said, it is highly unlikely that the Dodgers will re-sign Machado this off season. The Dodgers are counting on Seager to be their longterm shortstop.
Meh, Cody’s just growing up finally that’s all.
;-p
Who hits after Bellinger? Squirting a ball through the infield is the 2nd best outcome for the pitcher. A HR hitter is on 1st base, no harm no foul. Bellinger will struggle in the postseason again facing teams horses game 1 and 2. Hitters don’t try and beat shifts. What kind of batters get shifted against? Usually hitters with power( HR’s, doubles) Typicall power guys are pull heavy, there are exceptions. If your numbers don’t show you drop head on the ball teams won’t shift you. Hit singles I dare you.
Absolutely positively couldn’t disagree more.
Team players try to beat shifts to get on base. With a roster full of home run hitters, what you call “the 2nd best outcome for the pitcher” turns a solo home run into a two-run home run.
I’m guessing that you haven’t heard who Bellinger now has a mentor. I’ll let you find that on your own. (Clue: He’s the teams best hitter, but not the team’s leading home run hitter).